All Saints Church

Architectural History of All Saints Church

Remains of a Norman arch lies under the floor of the south
aisle, perhaps from a church built here by William the Conqueror's baron,
Hasculf Musard.

In 1122 Aintrop de Hastang, then the Lord of the Manor, helped
endow an Augustinian Priory of St Oswald's near Pontefract. Amongst his gifts
was Leamington Hastings church, with its glebe land and income from tithe. The
Canons therefore became responsible for the pastoral care of the parish and
maintenance of the church.

Extensive work was carried out in the church in the second half
of the thirteenth century by the de Hastang family. The bay in the North Aisle
was opened up to create a small chapel. This opening (behind the pulpit) and
some traces on the outer wall are all that remains of a spiral staircase
leading to a rood loft over a rood screen. There would have been a crucifix
(rood) above the screen and the loft would have been used in services by
musicians. Wood from the screen has been incorporated in the present pulpit and
prayer desk.

In 1375, the male line of de Hastangs died out, Maud de Hastang
and her husband Ralph Stafford, inherited Leamington Hastings. The
extension of the north aisle, the stone tracery of its window, the fine though
badly worn, north porch and the tower all date form this period.

Sir Humphrey Stafford, a soldier who had fought at the battle of
Agincourt under Henry V, was killed in 1450. The font which dates from this
time may well have been given in memory of him.

On the left of the main altar is a monument to Sir Thomas
Trevor, who in 1630 bought Leamington Hastings from the Stafford family. The
Trevor coat of arms can been seen in the west window under the tower.

In 1703 the south aisle, including the arcade of pillars was
taken down to its foundations and rebuilt by the Wheeler family. The south
porch was enlarged following hurricane damage to the roof, the wind had blown
lead off the roof into a tree on the north side!

1879-1887 saw major restoration of the church under Sir Gilbert
Scott. Plaster stripped form walls and pillars, the nave floor was lowered, the
nave roof panelled, and the tower opened up and restored. The chancel roof was
reconstructed and new seating provided.

New choir stalls were given in 1913 in memory of Canon Sitwell,
Vicar 1863-1909. The side aisle roofs were panelled, and north and south door
ways were plastered in imitation of Early English style. The alter and
sanctuary panelling were given in memory of Mary Ismene Wigram, wife of Gerard
Wigram vicar from 1928.